Oliver Dan’s courageous win

Four year old Oliver Dan (Bettors Delight) gave harness racing trainer Emma Stewart a winning double and ace driver Cameron Hart a treble when he outgunned favourite Captain Hammerhead in tight finish in the second semi final of the NSW Breeders Challenge for four year olds.

A firm second favourite Oliver Dan was not expected to trouble warm favourite Captain Hammerhead who from barrier 2 found the early lead. Driver David Moran was able to hold Captain Hammerhead to a slower second quarter of 30 seconds.

In the meantime Oliver Dan was caught outside the leader and he was forced to race one out without any cover. Although Captain Hammerhead moved away on the final bend, he could not shake off Oliver Dan who despite the harder run continued to stick to his task. In a driving finish Oliver Dan just had his head out on the finishing line to score by a short half head with Hy Poactive 4 metres away third. 

Oliver Dan has always shown above average ability and last month on Eureka night scored his most important success when he took out the Stockade. Now he has every chance of going better in next Saturday night’s final but he will need to be at his very best to beat Captain’s Knock.

OLIVER DAN REPLAY

Captain Hammerhead was not disgraced and his comeback since his heart fibrillation episode at Menangle Park early last month has shown that he has more improvement in him.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink